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Moraea ramosissima

Species category

Weed

Common name

giant iris

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Irregularly triangular

Size

  • Length 1.2–1.7 mm 
  • Width 0.7–1.3 mm 
  • Thickness 0.7–1.3 mm 

Color

Black with brown ridges

Texture

RugoseRugose:
Having veinlets sunken and areas in between raised. Wrinkled.
 with sharp ridges

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is at intersection of three ridges.

Identification notes

Flat sides sometimes with secondary ridges. Flat sides meeting with sharp ridges.

Noxious weed seed categories

Federal

Learn more about Moraea spp. on ITP's Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules tool.

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Iridaceae

Valid name

Moraea ramosissima (L.f.) Druce

Synonyms

Iris ramosissima L.f.
Freuchenia bulbifera Eckl., nom. nud.
Gladiolus ramosus Murray, nom. illeg.
Iris ramosa Thunb., nom. illeg.
Moraea bulbifera Jacq.
Moraea racemosa Drège ex Baker, pro syn.
Moraea ramosa Ker Gawl., nom. illeg.
Vieusseuxia freuchenia Steud., not validly publ.
Vieusseuxia ramosa Eckl., nom. nud.

Moraea ramosissima. Black seeds with flat sides, sometimes with secondary ridges. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Moraea ramosissima. Black seeds with flat sides, sometimes with secondary ridges. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Moraea ramosissima. Black seeds with brown ridges. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Moraea ramosissima. Black seeds with brown ridges. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.